Neale Daniher declares he will never back down from his crusade to find MND cure

Inspirational Neale Daniher has called for Australians to go “all in” to help him find a cure for MND as he and his campaigners step up their fight.

As the national footprint of Fight MND prepares to expand across three states, inspirational campaigner Neale Daniher has appealed to Australians to find strength in numbers as he steps up the fight against “the beast’’ with a ninth edition of Big Freeze at the ’G.

While the main game of the campaign remains the traditional long weekend clash between Melbourne and Collingwood at the MCG on Monday, June 12, dedicated matches will also be played between West Coast and Collingwood in Perth on June 3 and Brisbane-Sydney Swans at the SCG on June 16.

To help spread the message, Neale has enlisted the services of the vast Daniher clan as he prepares to march to the ’G and entice a new batch of celebrities to slide into the icy pool in the biggest annual fundraiser for the charity he helped set up.

He has invoked the motto “all in’’ for this year’s event, hoping Australians from near and far join the fight.

Having already lost the ability to speak, he issued a rousing statement to the Herald Sun.

“Every day is a fight, not just for me but for every single person affected by this disease,’’ he said. “I won’t stop fighting until we find a cure.’’

Two people are diagnosed a day with MND and more than 2000 Australians are now living with the disease.

The Daniher family gathered together for Fight MND Big Freeze 9, wearing the new designed beanie. Picture: Jason Edwards

Neale Daniher family gathered together for Fight MND Big Freeze 9, wearing the new designed beanie. Picture: Jason Edwards

Daniher declared he would never back down from his crusade to find a cure.

And he had assembled the wider Daniher clan, including former AFL star brothers Anthony and Terry, his sisters, cousins and three generations of family to help with the “all in” campaign.

“I live by the words ‘when all is said and done, more is said than done’,’’ he said.

“It’s not about what you say, it’s about what you do.

“So this Big Freeze 9, I’m asking Australians to join the all in fight and lead with their actions.”

His daughter Bec said her family was amazed Neale was still alive, let alone fronting this year’s campaign, 10 years after being diagnosed.

“Every Big Freeze you reflect and I’m amazed that he is still by our sides,’’ she said.

“He’s such a fighter, he’s a stubborn bugger but he is with us and going as well as he can.

“MND has taken his voice but it hasn’t taken his mind in any way, he’s still there helping us along the way.’’

Daniher’s brother Anthony said his entire family was inspired by Daniher’s guts, determination and positivity.

“He’s a fighter and he’s a superstar,’’ he said.

“He’s been given a task by someone above, he’s bloody committed to it, and we’re all better for it.’’

Bec said a sea of blue beanies at the three AFL matches would send a powerful message.

“I can’t wait to see the beanies in the wild,’’ she said.

“We’re already seeing beanies from previous years, at the footy, at the shops or on work sites and I love it because it’s a great indicator that people just want to continue to support the campaign and support the cause.”

The beanies are available at www.fightmnd.org.au and Coles and Bunnings stores.

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